Science Background

The Weather and You This site, created by preservice teachers, is designed to teach children about different aspects of the weather. There are also pages with different activities and links to other sites about the weather.

Make a Weather Station What happens when a storm comes? The Miami Museum of Science will show you. Just click on the picture to find out.

What's the Weather? Cold, hot, warm, cool, what do these words mean to you? Help the bear decide what to wear. Make sure you read the thermometer!

5. Seasons1. Winter

For Teachers

All About Snow Facts, Q&A, Glossary, Gallery, and everything else you would want to know about snow.

Make a Snowflake Finger Puppet Print out the patterns and have children make finger puppets. Use the puppets to illustrate the rhyme about snowflakes.

For Students

Make-a-Flake Make your own snowflake online! This site has everything you need.

2. Spring

For Teachers

About Rainbows April showers sometimes bring rainbows. This site from the National Center for Atmospheric Research will help you answer all kinds of questions about rainbows.

School Gardens A school garden is a great way for children to interact with plants and the outdoors. This site has a step-by-step guide, ideas, curricula, and plenty of other help to grow one.

KidsGardening for Teachers The National Gardening Association offers this site to support hands-on classroom learning. Here you'll find lesson plans, articles, and a variety of other teaching resources.

CFAITC Lesson Plans The California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom's mission is to increase awareness and understanding of agriculture among California's educators and students. Here are their lesson plans for Grade 1.

For Students

The Avocado Tree Coloring Page Spring is the season for planting. Here is an avocado tree you can print out and color. It also has a quiz about growing avocados.

EPA SunWise The SunWise Program is an environmental and health education program that aims to teach the public how to protect themselves from overexposure to the Sun. Learn about the classroom-based component of this U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program here.

SunWise Kids Click on Dressing SunWisely. Then help Lisa dress in the clothes that will protect her from the Sun.

4. Fall

For Teachers

Fall Foliage Facts Some areas of California don't get a showy display of fall colors. But here you can find fabulous fall colors from the Eastern states online.

EEK! A Tree's True Color Part of Environmental Education for Kids, this site is geared toward older students. Yet, the explanations of where leaves come from, why leaves change color, and why they fall are so simple and clear, you may want to bookmark it for yourself!

Introduction to Latitude and Longitude This lesson from National Geographic Xpeditions introduces children to latitude and longitude. They will look at lines of latitude and longitude on a United States map and discuss the reasons why these lines are helpful.

Map Machine National Geographic's online atlas gives you the world—your way. Find nearly any place on Earth with their maps.

For Students

Chameleon Graphing How do you plot something's position? Here is help from Sam the chameleon. Start with the first link. Click Next until you are done.

Graph Mole This little game teaches you how to plot points on a graph.

You Can't Catch Me! Here is a story about motion from PBS Kids. It has pictures and words that you can read online.

3. Pushes and Pulls

For Teachers

Position, Velocity, and Acceleration This site from Fear of Physics helps you understand what it means "to be moving." The online simulation allows you to play with the position, velocity, and acceleration of two objects at the same time.

Forces and Motion (Pushes and Pulls) This page contains worksheets, online activities and other educational resources to help children learn the concepts involved with forces and motion. Be sure to check out the Venn Diagram worksheet and interactive sorting activity.

For Students

Pushes and Pulls This site lets you test pushes and pulls on a rolling object. See how you can make the horse move closer or far away. Then take the online quiz.

Forces and Movement This activity lets you test forces and gradients on a rolling object. You can take a quiz after that.

Plant Activities Links to creative activities and quizzes about plants organized by grade and subject area, including activities that are cross-curricular (science/language arts, science/math, etc.).>

The World's Biomes An introduction to five major biomes: aquatic, grasslands, desert, tundra, and forests.

Wild World @ National Geographic The National Geographic Society has mapped 867 land-based ecoregions across the world, each sharing a particular ecological feature, climate, plant and animal community for you to explore. You can also search for any ecoregion in the world.

For Students

All About Animals Click on any of the environments listed on this page. You will see what types of animals live in them. Click on "Fact Sheet" to learn more about these animals

Biome Basics Read about the climate, plants, and animals of biomes around the world. This site comes from the University of Richmond.

Climates of the World Learn about climates in different environments around the world by looking at what children wear.

Geography4Kids.com Take a tour of a few different biomes. You can even access a 360 degree panoramic view of these biomes in North America.

The World's Biomes An extensive introduction to five major biomes: aquatic, grasslands, desert, tundra, and forests.

Wild World @ National Geographic The National Geographic Society has mapped 867 land-based ecoregions across the world, each sharing a particular ecological feature, climate, plant and animal community for you to explore. You can also search for any ecoregion in the world.

For Students

All About Animals Click on any of the environments listed on this page. You will see what types of animals live in them. Click on "Fact Sheet" to learn more about these animals

Animals on Defense Click on the links to learn about the four main ways animals stay safe and sound. You will learn the definitions of camouflage, hibernation, migration, and mimicry.

Biome Basics Read about the climate, plants, and animals of biomes around the world. This site comes from the University of Richmond.

Geography4Kids.com Take a tour of a few different biomes. You can even access a 360 degree panoramic view of these biomes in North America.

Plant Adaptations Explore plant adaptations by clicking on each of the biomes. This site comes from the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

The World's Biomes An extensive introduction to five major biomes: aquatic, grasslands, desert, tundra, and forests.

Wild World @ National Geographic The National Geographic Society has mapped 867 land-based ecoregions across the world, each sharing a particular ecological feature, climate, plant and animal community for you to explore. You can also search for any ecoregion in the world.

For Students

All About Animals Click on any of the environments listed on this page. You will see what types of animals live in them. Click on "Fact Sheet" to learn more about these animals

Animals on Defense Click on the links to learn about the four main ways animals stay safe and sound. You will learn the definitions of camouflage, hibernation, migration, and mimicry.

Biome Basics Read about the climate, plants, and animals of biomes around the world. This site comes from the University of Richmond.

Plant Adaptations Explore plant adaptations by clicking on each of the biomes. This site comes from the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

Rainforest Alliance The mission of the Rainforest Alliance is to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them. The Learning Site features lesson plans, slide shows, news articles, posters and other resources for othe classroom.

The World's Biomes An extensive introduction to five major biomes: aquatic, grasslands, desert, tundra, and forests.

Wild World @ National Geographic The National Geographic Society has mapped 867 land-based ecoregions across the world, each sharing a particular ecological feature, climate, plant and animal community for you to explore. You can also search for any ecoregion in the world.

For Students

All About Animals Click on any of the environments listed on this page. You will see what types of animals live in them. Click on "Fact Sheet" to learn more about these animals

Animals on Defense Click on the links to learn about the four main ways animals stay safe and sound. You will learn the definitions of camouflage, hibernation, migration, and mimicry.

Biome Basics Read about the climate, plants, and animals of biomes around the world. This site comes from the University of Richmond.

Geography4Kids.com Take a tour of a few different biomes. You can even access a 360 degree panoramic view of these biomes in North America.

Plant Adaptations Explore plant adaptations by clicking on each of the biomes. This site comes from the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

The World's Biomes An extensive introduction to five major biomes: aquatic, grasslands, desert, tundra, and forests.

Wild World @ National Geographic The National Geographic Society has mapped 867 land-based ecoregions across the world, each sharing a particular ecological feature, climate, plant and animal community for you to explore. You can also search for any ecoregion in the world.

For Students

All About Animals Click on any of the environments listed on this page. You will see what types of animals live in them. Click on "Fact Sheet" to learn more about these animals

Animals on Defense Click on the links to learn about the four main ways animals stay safe and sound. You will learn the definitions of camouflage, hibernation, migration, and mimicry.

Biome Basics Read about the climate, plants, and animals of biomes around the world. This site comes from the University of Richmond.

Geography4Kids.com Take a tour of a few different biomes. You can even access a 360 degree panoramic view of these biomes in North America.

Plant Adaptations Explore plant adaptations by clicking on each of the biomes. This site comes from the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

2. Adaptations in Water Environments1. The Water Planet

For Teachers

Neptune's Web - Ocean Quest This site from the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command contains a wealth of information about sea water, marine life, and more.

Oceanography Lesson Plans for Creative Art Neptune's Web has several lesson plans to help you teach your students how scientists and laymen interact with the ocean environment in an interactive, hands-on method.

For Students

Neptune's Web - Ocean Trivia You'll find plenty of little known facts about the ocean and marine life at this Student's Sea of Knowledge page.

Underwater Puzzler This puzzle is from a Canadian site called EcoKids Online. Complete the whole puzzle and see the lake come to life. Then roll over all the animated underwater animals to find out what they are.

2. Life in an Ocean

For Teachers

Ocean Writing Activities From the Treasures@Sea pages, here are some writing activities you can use for this lesson and throughout the chapter.

Plant Fossils and Their Preservation This site's goal is to help you understand the processes that preserve plants in the fossil record. It is part of the University of California, Berkeley, Virtual Paleobotany Lab.

How Fossils Form EnchantedLearning.com presents a concise explanation and a flow chart of fossil formation.

For Students

Life Has a History This site will help you understand the history of life and the diversity of living things we see today. Click on Level One. Use the arrows at the bottom of the screen to find your way.

Boston Museum of Science Background information for teachers, and activities to explore static electricty with students.

EIA Kids Page: Electricity A kid-friendly site about energy, which may also be useful for teachers. Featuring energy facts, games and quizzes, energy history and timeline, classroom activities, links and a glossary. The "Energy Facts" section is full of information.

ScienceMaster ScienceMaster brings you an extensive gallery of lightning photographs and links.

For Students

Dialogue for Kids Learn about the atom, static vs. current electricity, and how electricity moves from power sources.

Simple Circuits Flash Animation Watch a movie about how a circuit works and try an activity to learn about the difference between a conductor and an insulator.

Super Sparker A simple experiment to make "very, very, very tiny" lightning using a pie pin and styrofoam.

The Electric Avenue Here is a Web site all about energy and electricity. Learn what electricity can do and how it works. You'll also find information about fuel cells, conserving energy, and different types of energy.

2. Electric Circuits

For Teachers

EIA Kids Page: Electricity A kid-friendly site about energy, which may also be useful for teachers. Featuring energy facts, games and quizzes, energy history and timeline, classroom activities, links and a glossary. The "Energy Facts" section is full of information.

Dialogue for Kids Learn about the atom, static vs. current electricity, and how electricity moves from power sources.

Simple Circuits Flash Animation Watch a movie about how a circuit works and try an activity to learn about the difference between a conductor and an insulator.

The Electric Avenue Here is a Web site all about energy and electricity. Learn what electricity can do and how it works. You'll also find information about fuel cells, conserving energy, and different types of energy.

3. Using Electrical Energy

For Teachers

EIA Kids Page: Electricity A kid-friendly site about energy, which may also be useful for teachers. Featuring energy facts, games and quizzes, energy history and timeline, classroom activities, links and a glossary. The "Energy Facts" section is full of information.

EIA Kids Page: Uses of Energy Pie charts with shares of energy consumed by major sectors of the economy: residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation.

Energy Quest Energy education from the California Energy Commission. Includes a comprehensive "Energy Story" with extensive background information. Check out chapters 2, 3, 4, and 7. Also click on "How Things Work" to learn about how transformers work.

For Students

Florida Power and Light Getting electricity to your home, school, shopping centers, movie theater and even your favorite ball park is called transmission and distribution. Just click on each picture and start your electric journey.

The Electric Avenue Here is a Web site all about energy and electricity. Learn what electricity can do and how it works. You'll also find information about fuel cells, conserving energy, and different types of energy.

7. Magnetism1. Magnets

For Teachers

Background Information for Magnets This web site from the Canada Science and Technology Museum answers your questions about magnetism and magnets. Find out more about terrestrial magnetism, superconductors and compasses. Click on the Kid’s Zone” link on the left side for a variety of science games.

Explaratorium Snacks Exploratorium Science Snacks are miniature versions of some of the most popular exhibits at the Exploratorium that teachers can make using common, inexpensive materials.

Discovery School Curriculum Center Part of Discovery School's Curriculum Center, this site about magnetism has quick facts to pique students' interest, hands-on activities, creative project ideas, games and puzzles, a glossary, and a multiple-choice test.

The Science Place Read this Web page to learn more about magnets and their uses. This Web site comes from The Science Place, a museum in Dallas, Texas.

Ology: Create a Compass Easy instructions for creating a homemade compass, from the American Museum of Natural History's Ology site.

2. Electromagnets

For Teachers

Molecular Expressions A mini-tutorial about Michael Faraday's electromagnetic induction experiment. Browse other parts of this website for additional tutorials about electricity and magnetism.

Windows to the Universe A site that explores the Earth and Space sciences and the historical and cultural ties between science, exploration, and the human experience. Includes images, movies, animations, and data sets.

For Students

How Electric Motors Work By understanding how a motor works you can learn a lot about magnets, electromagnets and electricity in general. In this edition of How Stuff Works you will learn what makes electric motors tick.

Socket to Me! How Electricity Came to Be. Here you will explore the history of electrical motors. You can find out more about Thomas Davenport and other early inventors. A society of engineers created this site as a virtual museum. There is even an animation that shows how magnets make a motor work.

3. Motors and Generators

For Teachers

eMints National Center A collection of links that include photographs, animations, and experiments. Find out how relationships between magnets and electricity were discovered. Learn about motors and generators.

How Electric Motors Work An explanation of how motors work, and their relationship to magnets, electromagnets and electricity. Plus a chance to take a tour inside an actual electrical motor.

Socket to Me! How Electricity Came to Be Here you will explore the history of electrical motors. You can find out more about Thomas Davenport and other early inventors. A society of engineers created this site as a virtual museum. There is even an animation that shows how magnets make a motor work.

EPA: The Water Cycle Student and teacher resources, including games and lesson plans, about water--the water cycle, how to build an aquifer, how people get water, water purification. Site is tailored for both teachers and students.

EPA: Drinking Water and Ground Water Kids's Stuff Student and teacher resources, including games and lesson plans, about water--the water cycle, how to build an aquifer, how people get water, water purification. The site is tailored for both teachers and students.

Earth Science Explorer: Atmosphere The Earth Science Explorer is linked from the ETE online series. This site features a discussion on spheres, including the atmosphere, lithosphere, hyrdrosphere and biosphere.

Windows to the Universe: Can Earths Spin Be Changed by Wind? A rich, award-winning site that explores the Earth and Space sciences and the historical and cultural ties between science, exploration, and the human experience. Includes images, movies, animations, and data sets. Students will be able to create a journal and take a guided tour through space. The site includes teacher resources and professional development.

NASA Comparing Oceans This Web site from NASA, "Comparing Oceans," features activities on ocean temperature.

For Students

NOAA Research: Ocean Temperature The goal of the site is to provide science students and teachers with research and investigation experiences using online resources. The research process is broken down into steps and covers the following topics: El Nino, Storms, Fisheries, Atmosphere, Great Lakes, Oceans.

NOAA Research for Kids: Lightning The NOAA Web site features an activitiy where students are asked to get information about lightning and apply their knowledge. There are also additional links about lightning.

The Weather Classroom: Severe ThunderstormsA Weather Channel site for students, with a chance to explore the weather studio behind the scenes, ask a metereologist questions, and create an interactive weather forecast.

NOAA Research: Hurricanes The goal of the site is to provide science students and teachers with research and investigation experiences using online resources. The research process is broken down into steps and covers the following topics: El Nino, Storms, Fisheries, Atmosphere, Great Lakes, Oceans.

5. Predicting the Weather

For Teachers

Wonderful World of Weather This standards-based Real Time Data Module allows students to investigate weather phenomena both locally and around the world. By using hands-on activities and real-time data investigations, weather can be described in measurable quantities, such as temperature, wind and precipitation. Lesson plans have been designed to allow teachers flexibility in implementation into their curriculums.

Web Weather for Kids: Tips for Forecasting the Weather Tips for teachers and activities to incorporate into lessons about weather. This site gives suggestions on how to make convection currents, hot air ballons, a twister in a jar, etc. All activities are correlated to National Science Education Standards.

Weather Or Not Monitor the weather environment and make predictions about the weather up to 48 hours before special outdoor events.

6. The Solar System1. The Sun

For Teachers

NASA Eclipse Home Page The NASA Eclipse Home Page provides teachers with data on past, present and future eclipses of the Sun and Moon from 2004, 2005, and 2006.

For Students

NOAA Research for Kids: Solar Events The NOAA Web site features an activity that requires students to gather data and apply their knowledge. There are also links to NASA Web sites.

Orbit For Kids: Journey to Jupiter The Journey to Jupiter page from the Orbit for Kids Web site documents the Galileo spacecraft's six-year exploration of Jupiter. There are photos of Jupiter and the Galileo flight path.

BBC Science: The Earth and Beyond Find out about the "Earth and Beyond" in this tutorial from BBC Science. Topics include gravity and orbit, the movements of stars, and moons and artificial satellites.

National Marine Sanctuaries Education This marine life field guide features photos and videos of animals. There is also a map of marine life sanctuaries, including one in Monterey Bay, California.

For Students

reefED Students: Great Barrier Reef Explorer This Web site has a section for students called reefED: Students. There is a Great Barrier Reef Explorer that provides a graphic overview of the plants and animals that live in the Great Barrier Reef.

Monterey Bay National Sanctuary The Monterey Bay National Sanctuary was established to research and protect marine wildlife, including mammals, seabirds, fishes, invertebrates, and plants. The Web site provides an overview of the Sanctuary's purpose and services.